Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has bristled at the suggestion that key defender Aliir Aliir returned to the field without being properly assessed following a sickening collision with teammate Lachie Jones.
Aliir collided with Jones in a marking contest after running back with the flight of the ball, causing play to be stopped early in the second term of the 47-point Showdown loss to Adelaide on Saturday.
Both Power players had to be helped to their feet and looked set to be ruled out of the contest, but Aliir did not undergo a head injury assessment and returned to the field just minutes later.
Jones passed a head injury assessment but was subbed out at halftime due to a migraine.
“It was played out through the right hands and that was the doctor. The doctor made those decisions based around both players,” Hinkley said.
“He was really, really clear, and really, really certain to me, and Aliir was too, with Aliir in particular.
“I can tell you because I actually sat and spoke with Aliir, and Aliir spoke with me clear as he could be.
“The doctor was very, very comfortable that the situation was well and truly okay, and that he (Aliir) was able to go back on.”
Aliir went on to play out the match and finished lining up on Taylor Walker as the Crows’ veteran forward ran riot.
Walker booted seven goals to lead the Crows to a rousing triumph that reignited their finals hopes while also securing his first Showdown Medal as Aliir was among several Power defenders unable to contain him.
“He went back out there and played the whole game, so I don’t think there was too many problems with Aliir other than he got beaten badly,” Hinkley said.
“But he was getting beaten by Taylor Walker for a fair bit of the night.”
The Power were scrutinised last season when captain Tom Jonas and onballer Zak Butters clashed heads late in a match against Richmond but did not undergo head injury assessments.
Hinkley also backed veteran Port doctor Mark Fisher’s judgement at that time.
Jones was assessed following the collision with Aliir and watched the second half from the bench.
“Lachie didn’t fail a concussion test, but he didn’t come back on. We subbed him out,” Hinkley said.
“In fact, at the end, he basically was subbed out with a migraine. But he’d done the concussion test and he passed the concussion test.”
The Power have now lost three consecutive matches following a 13-game winning streak that propelled them into the top two.
The latest defeat ensures second spot – and a home final in week one – is still up for grabs with Port Adelaide one win ahead of Brisbane with four matches still to play.
“Clearly it’s concerning. But footy seasons are always made up of chunks,” Hinkley said.
“You get your opportunity in a whole season to build your season and we’ve done that really well.
“We’re in a little patch at the moment that we’d much rather not be in, but we won’t be staying in this patch.
“We’ll do everything we can to get out of this patch and we’ll continue on and qualify as high as we possibly can.”
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
This is a guess on my part bit with both players coming off at once and alir seeming to be ok as he passed the initial tests they do Like name and where you are and counting backwards etc I think his attention focused more on Lachie in the end whether thats because he thought he took the bigger impact as well or because of his hit he took earlier in the year which fractured or broke his jaw maybe too much reliance went on what alir was feeling and said and should rightly of been taking out of his alirs hands. Ohh most definitely it's as old as time but to nowhere near the level it is now with social media, it can be a very good tool in life but can also be a very dangerous one.
Skip
Roar Rookie
No nothing wrong with a rant mate, just another one of us with a passion for the game;) now my turn for a rant ;) I think what is worrying is that certain professions need to be held to a higher Order. And yes in the heat of battle under pressure mistakes are made but this is a game, it’s in the end, past all the fans and entertainment, this in essence was a by decision driven by money, the players were treated as a commodity, unfortunately, it should not of happened. and now it’s time to progress and make sure it never happens again, eg outside adjudication, non prejudicial, independent, may be the answer. As far as public shaming, well it’s fact and gossip is as old as time, backlash can drive change for the better hopefully :) all the best.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Thats it 100% hes admitted he made a mistake the club has admitted he made a mistake so fine and sanction him and move on. People carry on these days like they've never made a mistake or error of judgement in their life when under pressure. Hindsight is a wonderful thing in life and so is being able to sit back in a chair and judge people by their actions when your not there and in the heat of the moment. This isn't just a Port thing either im whinging about, this is a society thing now we've almost gone back to the old ages and have lynchings due to the public persecution of people on social media and by the time the truth actually comes out, it's to late for those involved as they've already been judged to be guilty and those that have already judged these people don't exactly come out and admit they've made a mistake they just move on to the next persecution of somebody that in their eyes has failed. Considering there's been question marks over how clubs and doctors have dealt with things for a fee years now the AFL probs should of taken the initiative and done this already. I wonder if it's been a cost thing otherwise it makes you wonder why it hasn't already been done considering it's the safety of the players at stake here. Sorry for the rant.lol.
Skip
Roar Rookie
Adam, the doctors did not do there jobs, Fisher failed to follow protocol, that’s the point. He has admitted this, failings in duty of care in the medical world is extremely serious and ruinous for people s lives.The risks to Alli where not worth it and never will be, that is why protocols are in in place. To protect the players in the future it now may be prudent to have a independent expert to enforce said protocols on the day.
Skip
Roar Rookie
But this one we will never know if Alli was concussed as no SCAT happened Don, The Medico admitted that he made a mistake in not following the protocols. It is “sickening” that port Adelaide failed in there duty of care to these players. You are wrong on this one Don, please rethink you stance. Port actions and there medicos actions are indefensible. I just hope these men are ok now and in the future.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Don't look.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Before the collision? That would be a pre-emptive concussion.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That was a head clash, but far from "sickening". My 4yo and 6yo grandies did that on a slide the other day. Stitches and bruises but not every head clash is a 'concussion' in the panicky/woke media sense. It's why medicos are there.
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
Aliir goes down like hes shot any time he cops a hit. Ive thought hes had season ending injuries every second week this year. He just doesnt cope with pain very well. Honestly, id be more concerned about the lachie jones "migraine" call
Shane
Roar Rookie
Alir should have been subbed out. Apparently he and Huston were ill during the week.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Let the doctors do their jobs and if the AFL has questions ask those doctors to explain their decisions.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
Hinkley will soon be the longest serving coach in football history to never have a team in a grand final. Lucky Kenny. Joel Erickson is on the money and has been for years. The Kenny cheerleaders are enablers. Gold Coast are not interested in Ken and we probably lose Josh Carr to the Tigers. Ken says the season is in chunks. The chunks are vomit from listening to Lucky Ken pressers. After eleven years I can't stand the sight of him.